Love vs Money

Talking about money is like taboo in our society. We don't talk about how much we bring into our household or how much money we spend monthly on our shopping spree. In my case, I don't talk about how much I spent on my beauty products ;) Hehehe... Sometimes even couple don't talk about money which I don't think shouldn't have happened. Money can bring a couple together or split them apart. Do you know that one of the top reasons why couple fight is about money? Our desire for the perfect partner fueled multi-million dollar dating services. There are several sms-chats (which costs money) available to cure our lonely heart. Maybe money can buy love after all...

From the article that I've read which I found quite interesting, it mentions how much money we invested for a new relationship. First, it's the getting a partner phase: we dressed nicely, get an expensive haircut and color (women's cut/color can cost up till rm300-rm400!) and fab clothes so we appear more attractive. Once we get the man/woman whom we thought the love of our life, we spent money to maintain the way we look so that our partner won't be looking for replacement. Furthermore, our partner expect to be showered with gifts. Pssst, girls love to be given long stem roses and luxury gifts. Poor men who have to comply to our needs :( Heheheh... In the middle of getting to know our partner, there goes movies and dinners. Who pay the bills? Girl, Boy, or split? I wouldn't mind splitting the bill, or if boy gets the bill first, then girl should at least offer to pay the second time. But I still believe on special occasions such as Valentine's, Anniversary, or Birthdays guys should at least be gentlemen and offer to pay :)

When a couple knows about how much money they each make, of course there are other issues arise. Issues such as if the wife brings more money than the husband, are both sides ok with that? Should the more-money-making person chips-in more for household expenses? If the husband makes more money than wife and expects wife to be SAHM, will the wife be given monthly allowance? I know in the old-fashion world, wife is expected to take care of husband needs (meals/clothes/house/etc) while men are out finding money for the household. But in the modern world where a house mortgage costs a bomb, how do we cope? In KK alone, a double storey terrace house costs more than rm200k (most are >rm250k), that's mortgage payment of rm1500-rm2500 per month for 25/30 years. Added with that a car payment which could range from rm500-rm2000. Ekkkss, how?

Some people might say that money is not the important thing in the world, they're just pieces of paper. But in the modern world, it is important. In an article I read, millionaires save money and being frugal not about having materialistic things, such as having the best car, living in a big mansion etc. It's about freedom: freedom to quit a job that you hate so much without having to worry about how to pay the bills. Freedom to travel the world whenever you want to. Freedom to support your expensive hobby. Freedom to start up own business. Freedom to choose which schools you want to send you kids to etc...

These money issues not only revolves around couple but family too. I don't believe the saying blood is thicker than water, I guess anything can happen when money is involved. I've heard stories about family members trying to open a business together, and when you add complication/money issues to that, it equals to family members started not talking to each other. That's just sad.

So for love or money?